From Margins to Medals: Rebecca Andrade's Monumental Mark on Brazilian Gymnastics

Recently, international media covered the historic event of the first all-Black Olympic gymnastics podium featuring Rebecca Andrade, Simone Biles, and Jordan Chiles. Behind this Andrade’s gold, it requires a miner to dive deep to understand the importance she carries for Brazil. Let's take a step back to see the bigger picture.

Brazil was the last Latin American country to abolish slavery in 1888. Throughout the 19th century, enslaved individuals fought for their freedom through escapes to quilombos, rebellions, and gradual legal emancipation. After abolition, many formerly enslaved individuals migrated in search of better opportunities and to reunite with relatives, often facing repression and being labeled as idle and vagrant. They lacked access to land and education, forcing them to accept low wages from large landowners and trapping them in a cycle of poverty and social marginalization.

In parallel with Pelé's football career, Brazil was transforming into a modern nation, transitioning from an agrarian economy to an industrial one. Television replaced radio as the primary means of communication. During his 21-year career, Pelé scored 1,283 goals in 1,367 matches and remains the only footballer to have won three World Cups. His legacy extends beyond football; he helped shape the identity of a nation and gave a sense of pride and identity to a generation of Black Brazilians.

Rebecca Andrade is the daughter of a maid, reflecting the historical legacy of domestic labour, which was a common occupation for enslaved women. Even after abolition, many continued in similar conditions, and today, domestic work remains a common trajectory for poor Black girls in Brazil, who face disrespect and discrimination based on gender, skin colour, class, and often illiteracy. Brazil has the highest number of domestic workers in the world, with only 28% having formal employment contracts and effective rights.

Ironically, these forgotten figures of Brazilian history, often relegated to mere statistics, contribute strongly to Brazil’s culture and heritage. Brazil has the largest Black population outside Africa, yet these individuals often remain invisible in the news and society. Andrade pays homage to them through her song choices, which are known as Carioca Funk. Funk arrived in Brazil in the 1970s and was quickly adopted by Tim Maia, who blended American funk with Brazilian rhythms. Radio broadcaster Big Boy promoted 'Bailes da Pesada' at Canecão in Rio de Janeiro, featuring a mix of rock, soul, groove, and funk, which became popular with the city's youth. Eventually, this event concluded and gave way to a split between rock and electronic music, leading to the emergence of 'baile funk,' which incorporated elements of Miami bass, giving birth to Carioca Funk.

Traditionally, Carioca Funk blends electronic beats from hip hop or afrobeat music, Candomblé drumming, the poetry of rap, and DJ skills to mix repetitive beats with melody. The music's themes commonly revolve around everyday life in Carioca suburbs and favelas, their harsh realities, and serve as a platform for addressing socio-political issues. Over the years, the genre has evolved, giving rise to various subgenres, many of which originate from regional identity mixed with Carioca Funk or blend with international genres.

In a recent interview, Andrade highlighted the importance of the Brazilian Athlete Scholarship Program. Since 2005, the Brazilian government has maintained one of the largest individual athlete sponsorship programs in the world, providing athletes with the minimum conditions to dedicate themselves exclusively to training and competitions. This program, founded by Lula, has offered many opportunities and historical reparation to the poorest in Brazil, a country known for its socio-economic inequality.

Today, Rebecca Andrade is Brazil's most decorated Olympic gymnast. At Tokyo 2020, she won silver in the individual all-around and gold in vault. In Paris 2024, she continued to excel, winning bronze with her team, silver in the individual all-around and vault, and gold in floor exercise. Alongside Beatriz Souza in judo, Andrade is demonstrating that Brazil is more than just a football nation. They are modernizing the country’s image, initially recreated by Pelé, and paving the way for a new generation of diversity and Black excellence, despite deep-rooted racism. In today's world, where screens dominate, representation matters immensely.